His time of 9.68 seconds at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials yesterday doesn't count as a world record because it was run with the help of a strong tailwind. Here's what does matter: Gay, 25, qualified for his first Summer Games team and served notice that he's certainly someone to watch in Beijing.

"It means a lot to me," he said. "I'm glad my body could do it, because now I know I have it in me."

Wearing a royal blue uniform with red and white diagonal stripes across the front, along with matching shoes, all in a tribute to 1936 Olympic star Jesse Owens, Gay dominated the competition. He started well and pulled out to a comfortable lead at 40 meters.

This time, he kept pumping those legs all the way through the finish line, extending his lead. In Saturday's opening heat, Gay pulled up way too soon and nearly was caught by the field before accelerating again and lunging in for fourth place.

No such close call this time.

No one has covered 100 meters more quickly. The previous fastest time under any conditions was 9.69, run in 1996 by Obadele Thompson, who now is married to Marion Jones.

Gay's race came with the wind blowing at 4.1 meters per second; anything above 2.0 is not allowed for record purposes.

"I didn't really care what the wind was," Gay said.

Walter Dix, the 2007 NCAA champion from Florida State, overtook Darvis Patton in the final 20 meters for second place. Dix clocked 9.80 and Patton 9.84, as each of the first six finalists turned in times under 10 seconds.

After the race, Gay and Dix looked at each other and slapped palms, then hugged.

Dix said, "He said, 'We did it. We both did it. We made it to Beijing. We're going to Beijing.' "

Everyone expected Gay to make the U.S. team. Similarly, long jumper Dwight Phillips also was considered a lock. Phillips is the 2004 Olympic gold medalist, a two-time world champion and three-time national champion. But he flopped yesterday, winding up in fourth place by less than an inch. Trevell Quinley, Brian Johnson and Miguel Pate will be on the team instead.

In other event finals, 2005 world champion Bershawn Jackson led a trio of favorites in the men's 400-meter hurdles. Jackson won in 48.17, followed by reigning world champion Kerron Clement in 48.36 and 2000 Olympic gold medalist Angelo Taylor in 48.42. Derek Miles won the men's pole vault with a top effort of 19 feet, 1/4 inch.

Brookhaven graduate Moushaumi Robinson advanced to the semifinals of the women's 400 meters in 52.02.